FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 02, 2022

Michael D. Smith joined Association of State Commissions regional training, met with AmeriCorps members and announced Public Health AmeriCorps grants in Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO, visited Milwaukee last week to tour national service programs in action, deliver remarks to national service leaders at an Association of State Commissions training, announce more than $5 million in Public Health AmeriCorps grant awards with local officials and hear from AmeriCorps members and alumni.

On Thursday, April 28, Smith attended the Association of State Commissions’ regional National Service Training hosted by Serve Wisconsin. National service program colleagues, state service commission staff, AmeriCorps agency representatives and volunteer engagement partners led educational and training seminars for the national service community. During the training, Smith met with State Service Commission executive directors and gave remarks at the closing plenary.

In the afternoon, Smith joined the AmeriCorps members of Milwaukee Christian Center YouthBuild at a home they are constructing, to learn about how AmeriCorps can better serve disconnected youth. Later, Smith met with AmeriCorps members serving through Milwaukee Association of Homeless and Runaway Services, a program that helps the growing number of homeless youth secure safe housing and other services. AmeriCorps members shared their personal experiences and the benefits of service.

Smith closed the day at Marquette University with students who are serving as AmeriCorps members part-time through the university’s 414 Fellows program, hearing about how their service helps create a sense of community for them on campus. The 414 Fellows make a meaningful difference in the lives of youth in Milwaukee as part of their mission-driven Marquette education.

On Friday, April 29, Smith joined AmeriCorps members serving with Public Allies Wisconsin for a discussion on how to make national service a more equitable and accessible service opportunity. Public Allies is a social justice organization committed to changing the face and practice of leadership by recruiting and training talented young leaders, with a passion for social impact, to create meaningful change in communities.

Smith concluded his trip meeting with Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee’s Commissioner of Health Kirstin Johnson, and other local leaders at an event to recognize AmeriCorps members in Wisconsin and announced five Wisconsin Public Health AmeriCorps grantees. Sixteenth Street Community Health Center, Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, United Way Fox Cities and Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation will use their grants to address local public health needs and support the recruitment, training and development of a new generation of public health leaders.

For additional highlights from Smith's trip, follow AmeriCorps on  Facebook,  Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

AmeriCorps CEO visits with Marquette University students
AmeriCorps CEO visits Milwaukee Christian Center YouthBuild service project
AmeriCorps CEO meets Milwaukee Association of Homeless and Runaway Services
AmeriCorps CEO gives remarks at a Public Health AmeriCorps event in Milwaukee

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.